ArdorComm Media News Network
April 13, 2026
In a significant move to preserve educational legacy, the government has announced the redevelopment of one of Jammu and Kashmir’s oldest institutions, the Boys Higher Secondary School in Bhaderwah, into a heritage school.
Originally established in 1920 as Amar Singh High School by Maharaja Pratap Singh, the institution holds the distinction of being the first high school in the Chenab Valley region. Located in Bhaderwah town of Doda district, the school has played a pivotal role in shaping generations of students for over a century.
The foundation stone for the redevelopment project, estimated at ₹3.06 crore, was laid by Additional Deputy Commissioner Sunil Kumar Bhutyal in the presence of Principal and alumnus Kailash Chander. The initiative is being carried out under the ‘Prerna’ Heritage School scheme, aimed at revitalizing historic institutions into inspiring centres of learning.
According to officials, the upgraded campus will offer an immersive educational environment while preserving the institution’s historical character. The project is also expected to strengthen emotional and cultural ties among alumni, many of whom have longstanding family connections to the school.
Highlighting the significance of the initiative, Bhutyal noted that the redevelopment aligns with the broader vision of Narendra Modi to empower youth through meaningful educational reforms. The ‘Prerna’ initiative, he said, seeks to motivate students to become agents of positive change in society.
Principal Kailash Chander described the development as deeply personal and historic, sharing that three generations of his family have studied at the institution. Leading the school after it has been granted heritage status, he added, is a moment of immense pride.
The school’s academic affiliations have evolved over time, reflecting its longstanding prominence. Before India’s independence, it was affiliated with the University of the Panjab until 1947. It later came under the aegis of Banaras Hindu University and subsequently the University of Jammu and Kashmir. Since 1974, it has been affiliated with the Jammu and Kashmir State Board of School Education. During the 2015–16 academic session, the institution was renamed Model Higher Secondary School.
With this redevelopment, the century-old institution is set to enter a new phase—blending heritage preservation with modern education, and continuing its legacy of academic excellence.
Source: PTI